Kits to start with and avoid?

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Richard - thanks for your post. I got a really good deal on Model Shipways Bounty launch. This will be my first attempt at a POF build. I picked up Model Shipways English Pinnace but it's deceiving. I will hone my skills with planking on the launch instead. Thanks again!

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Richard - thanks for your post. I got a really good deal on Model Shipways Bounty launch. This will be my first attempt at a POF build. I picked up Model Shipways English Pinnace but it's deceiving. I will hone my skills with planking on the launch instead. Thanks again!

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My first kit was Artesania's San Francisco. Yes, it's not the best of kits when it comes to modern standards, especially with timber quality, but it provides some nice lessons in basics and it sure helped my introduction into the hobby.

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I recommend the AL Harvey along with Frank Mastinis Book Ship Modeling Simplified which references this kit. You can pick it up for under 100 dollars on EBay. While not historically accurate - it's an easy build and makes into an attractive first time model.

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I have done the AL longboat and it is a rally good starting kit at a Great Price. The instructions are simple for a wood kit. It is about 35cm all up and make a nice introduction. Fro that the Caldercraft / Jokita William, Badger & Supply are grat kits in that order. Sample Plans & Instructions are on their site. Thre are a huge cut above the AL, but the price is higher.

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I would build the MSW's Gunboat Philadelphia 1/24 kit. Simple hull shape-flat bottomed,easy curved bow and stern. Basswood used-can be replaced at most hobby shops when you screw up a plank for the hull or decks. And you will need extra wood.

Cost is moderate.

Simple rigging-no ratlines.

3 large cannons,easy to rig.

Easy shape of hull to learn planking on for your first hull. And still learn a lot doing it.

Best thing is that it can be completed by those who have little building experence . Our building group started out with this one as our group build. See it at www.woodenshipclass.blogspot.com . It has photos of all our groups model progress. Here's my Gunboat.

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If you enjoy building ship models that are historically accurate as well as beautiful, then The Nautical Research Guild (NRG) is just right for you.

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The Nautical Research Guild puts on ship modeling seminars, yearly conferences, and juried competitions. We publish books on ship modeling techniques as well as our world-renowned quarterly magazine, The Nautical Research Journal, whose pages are full of articles by master ship modelers who show you how they build those exquisite details on their models, and by maritime historians who show you what details to build.